A carved cinnabar lacquer 'Lychee' seal paste box and cover, Ming dynasty, 16th century. Estimation 7,000 — 9,000 USD. Photo: Sotheby's.
of circular form, the cover carved with a spray of five lychees growing on leafy branches against a floral diaper ground, the fruit textured with various diapering patterns, the exterior of the box similarly decorated to the underside with a further spray issuing four lychees, the interior lacquered black (2). Diameter 3 in., 7.6 cm
Sotheby's. Important Chinese Art, New York, 15 sept. 2015